Health sign-ups gain but lag goal

Published: January 4, 2014;Last modified: January 4, 2014 05:00AM

The state’s new health insurance exchange, Connect for Health Colorado, logged 28,719 new enrollees from Dec. 15 through Tuesday as shoppers rushed to purchase plans that take effect in the new year, according to statistics released this week.

The total more than doubled the number of enrollments since the marketplace opened on Oct. 1 to 52,773, but the running total remained below the state’s 2013 goal of 67,114 and is still well short of the program’s overall goal of 136,300.

Shoppers have until Jan. 15 to purchase a plan that takes effect in February. People who don’t mind their coverage beginning later in the year can enroll through March 31.

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SNAP STAT

1,045

The number of employees and dependents in Colorado who were signed up for health insurance under the state’s new small business exchange as of Dec. 31, according to state regulators. Some small businesses have opted to extend their existing insurance rather than use the new exchange.

Business Briefs are compiled from staff reports and Chieftain wire services.